Solar power expansion urged in Los Angeles

A number of environmental groups joined forces on Tuesday in a call for the city of Los Angeles to increase the amount of rooftop solar installations in the city, aiming for 20 percent of all energy by the year 2020.

With their report, "Go Solar L.A.," members of the Los Angeles Business Council, Sierra Club and others said the time to expand solar is coming as the city seeks to end its reliance on coal power by 2025.

"I'm pleased that Los Angeles is now on a fast track to get away from the coal power emissions that are fouling the planet," Councilman Paul Koretz said, adding he will review the report and send it to the Department of Water and Power.

The DWP already has a number of solar initiatives under way, including a feed-in tariff in which customers can be reimbursed for the extra energy they generate and sell back to the utility. It also has signed contracts to develop enough solar energy to power 200,000 homes in the city.

Koretz said the city needs to remain focused on expanding the use of solar as ways to clean the air and improve the environment.

The report estimated the city would need to generate 1,200 megawatts of energy to reach the 20 percent goal.

Michelle Kinman, who wrote the report for the Environment California Research and Policy Center, said solar is a "no brainer" for Los Angeles.

"With our abundant sunshine, our miles upon miles of rooftops and our love of new technology, Los Angeles has all the ingredients necessary to be the nation's solar power capital."